Chanhassen Villager - National Politics - Comments

I've heard conflicting

FAdams — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:53:31 -0500

I've heard conflicting reports about what Bachmann actually said. I heard she said the media should report on some of the ideas that are espoused my members of Congress. That's a long way from calling for an investigation.

On the morning of the third

FAdams — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:47:33 -0500

On the morning of the third and final presidnetial depate, the Drudge Report posted the following story:

"OBAMA CAMPAIGN ISSUES TALKING POINTS TO MEDIA AHEAD OF DEBATE
Wed Oct 15 2008 11:13:03 ET

The Obama campaign issued a set of debate 'talking points' to media on Wednesday morning, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.

Press Secretary Sean Smith issued the directive in an email from Pennsylvania, 12 hours before the debate.

The memo oddly mirrors much of the main press analysis and theme of the current campaign:

-------- Original Message --------
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:37:27 -0500
From: Sean Smith [s***mith@barackobama.com]
To: Sean Smith [s***mith@barackobama.com]

* This is John McCain's last chance to turn this race around and somehow convince the American people that his erratic response to this economic crisis doesn't disqualify him from being President.

* Just this weekend the weekend, John McCain vowed to "whip Obama's you-know-what" at the debate, and he's indicated that he'll be bringing up Bill Ayers to try to distract voters.

* So we know that Senator McCain will come ready to attack Barack Obama and bring his dishonorable campaign tactics to the debate stage.

Obama continues to lead on the economic crisis with a rescue plan for Main Street.

* Over the course of the campaign, Barack Obama has laid out a set of policies that will grow our middle class and strengthen our economy.

* But he knows we face an immediate economic emergency that requires urgent action - on top of the plans he's already laid out - to help workers and families and communities struggling right now.

* That's why Barack Obama is introducing a comprehensive four-part Rescue Plan for the Middle Class - to immediately to stabilize our financial system, provide relief to families and communities, and help struggling homeowners.

* This is a plan that can and should be implemented immediately.

* Obama has shown steady leadership during this crisis and offered concrete solutions to move the country forward - and his Rescue Plan for the Middle Class builds on the plans to strengthen the economy and rebuild the middle class that he's laid out over the course of this campaign.

* Already in this campaign, he's unveiled plans to give 95 percent of workers and their families a tax cut, eliminate income taxes for seniors making under $50,000, bring down the cost of health care for families and businesses; and create millions of new jobs by investing in the renewable energy sources.

* John McCain has been erratic and unsteady since this crisis began - staggering from position to position and trying to change the subject away from the economy by launching false character attacks."

Steward interview

FAdams — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:27:46 -0500

Steward interview extra:

What’s the difference between a senate race and the presidential race?

For one thing I’ve got six states to cover instead of one. A lot of different issues are emphasized in those states in our region. You need to get to know a lot more local reporters and understand roughly what those states are interested in and what they need to know. You’ve gotta have familiarity with a wider variety of issues. It can be international and national issues to be up-to-speed on as opposed to the more localized state issues.

How do the reporters and what they’re looking for change from state to state?

They don’t that much. There are a lot of the same issues that come up. Second Amendment issues are a very big part of the picture because of the states that we cover. There have been pretty steadily the same kinds of things coming up. It’s always fun dealing with different parts of the country. I enjoy talking to reporters in different parts of the country because I did a lot of traveling as a reporter.

Has this been educational for you?

Yes. It’s been fascinating. This is a tough time for our country. Responding in a meaningful way to the anxiety and challenges that everybody in the country is dealing with from our perspective is very rewarding. It’s very challenging. It’s very interesting. That’s what it’s all about- dealing with real problems in real time. It has been very interesting being a part of that. Of course we’ve had the Republican National Convention here. That was really once in a lifetime. That was something to be proud of for all Minnesotans.

You have been in media for a while. What channeled you into politics?

I had spent a lot of time covering as a journalist from the outside looking in. I just thought it was time for me, if I had the opportunity, to contribute and be part of the actual process if the opportunity came up. And it did.

(A friend invited him into the Coleman for Senate political machine in 2002, and he stuck with the senator until taking the McCain gig in July 2008.)

I got a great deal more understanding and appreciation for how the process works and the people on both sides of the aisle for making this political process work and responding to people’s concerns and needs. It’s rewarding to be a part of that process. As a reporter looking in, I thought I had a fairly good idea, but I’ve learned there’s a lot more to it that I ever realized. And consequently I’ve a greater appreciation for public servants than I ever had before.

How have the issues changed since the beginning of this campaign?

For us the issues haven’t changed. When it comes down to John McCain’s experience, proven record of working in a bipartisan way to find solutions to big problems, the overarching issues haven’t changed. At times different issues come to the fore. We see them through the same lens.

What are the candidates like in real life?

Really genuine, really fun to talk to behind the scenes. But you don’t get as much of an opportunity on a national campaign as you do on a statewide schedule. These guys are so tightly scheduled, and they’re so pressed for time. Senator McCain was standing right over there (in the St. Paul campaign headquarters), and he thanked me for what I’m doing. You get a glimpse of them in instances like that. I spent some time with Todd Palin last time he was here. He was a lot of fun. He’s a very personable guy.

Tom Steward in the

FAdams — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:22:52 -0500

Tom Steward in the media:

Minnesota Public Radio, 1974
National Public Radio, Washington, D.C., 1975
NPR & Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Paris (freelance), 1976-78
WGBH-TV, Boston 1980
New Jersey Nightly News, Trenton, NJ, 1981
KSTP-TV, 1981-85
KDKA-TV, Pittsburgh, PA, 1986
WCCO-TV, 1987-97
Tremendous! Entertainment (our production company) doing programs viewed on Animal Planet, Discovery Health Channel, PBS, 1998-2001
Honest to God Media (faith based productions), 2002
Coleman for Senate campaign, 2002
Communications Director for U.S. Senator Norm Coleman 2003-2008
Regional Communications Director for John McCain 2008 campaign, 2008

Here's some of what Larry

FAdams — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:28:35 -0500

Here's some of what Larry Kudlow, free-market economics advocate, from CNBC has to say about government intervention in the markets.

"Paradoxical as it may be, strong government actions to stabilize banking are necessary to preserve the free-market-economy system. No free-market economy can survive without stable banking and credit. Without readily available credit, entrepreneurs can’t put their new ideas into commercial practice. And without that vital innovation, economic growth suffers."

For more, go to www.kudlowblog.cnbc.com.

Ex-Carver County GOP Board

FAdams — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:17:05 -0500

Ex-Carver County GOP Board member begins campaign against Kline

Hello!

Until yesterday I, Kevin Masrud, was a proud member of the Carver County GOP board.

I have resigned my post in protest over being sold down the river by the top three Republicans on our ballot.

McCain, Coleman, and Kline all chucked aside their small government principles and voted for the massive Bailout Bill, a bill so repugnant to common sense and free markets that we the people were OVERWHELMINGLY against it.

Yet apparently, our elected “representatives” think they're smarter than we are. Apparently, they think they know what's good for us. Well it's time they learned a lesson. Principles are made for when times get tough. If you cast aside your principles for “crisis” situations, they’re not worth much, are they?

As I indicated in my resignation letter, I WILL NOT be voting for any of these three sell-outs. Frankly, neither should you unless you approve of their actions. While there are good conservative alternatives to McCain and Coleman on the ballot (Baldwin and Niemackl), there isn’t currently an alternative to John Kline.

If you want to send a message to John Kline that he will not fail to hear, please do the following:

1. Plan to write in KEVIN MASRUD for 2nd Congressional District on November 4th.
2. Forward this email to everyone you know in the 2nd Congressional District.
3. Pray that God will heal our land.

Now you’re probably wondering why you should vote for me. Good question!

First of all, I am not a politician. I am an ordinary hard-working Minnesotan just like you. I pay my bills, I care for my family.

I am a principled small government conservative… like I thought John Kline was.

I believe that the federal government should have a VERY limited role in our lives: defending our borders, coining our money, etc.

My principles are built for tough times. When the going gets difficult, I won’t discard them.

Despite having a college degree, I enlisted in the US Army and served honorably for 5 years.
I love God and I love my country; I HATE liberalism.

Because power corrupts, I promise to serve no more than 2 terms. Frankly, I don’t know how anyone could stand to serve in that den of corruption and villainy any longer than that.

Please print out this email and take it with you to the polling place so you don’t forget my name.

Please write in KEVIN MASRUD for 2nd Congressional District on November 4th.

Thanks!

Kevin Masrud
http://kevinmasrudforcongress.blogspot.com/2008/10/kevin-masrud-ex-carve...

The latest Rasmussen Reports

FAdams — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:51:41 -0500

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that if the American people could vote to keep or replace the entire Congress, 59% of voters would like to throw them all out and start over again; just 17% would vote to keep the current legislators in office.

From the Sarvi for Congress

FAdams — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:45:42 -0500

From the Sarvi for Congress campaign

EAGAN, Minn. – Today, as Americans ponder their financial security and the crisis on Wall Street persists, Minnesota 2nd Congressional District Democrat Steve Sarvi issued the following statement:

“Congress must act quickly, but it’s how Congress acts that matters most. I hope whatever action Congress takes will ensure the following:

1. We get something for our money. We should gain equity stakes in the institutions, as proposed to AIG last week, not just give them a free lunch.

2. We prevent this from happening again. This crisis erupted on President Bush’s watch and is the result of years of Republican ‘hands-off,’ no-regulation policies. Now we’re being asked for a blank check to save companies whose bad behavior, combined with lack of oversight, got us into this mess. Congress can’t let President Bush or Wall Street waste any more of our money. We need to ensure proper oversight is part of our plan so that we never see a repeat of our current situation.

3. The people’s money goes to those who need it most. Congress must ensure that people in danger of losing their homes and not just people on Wall Street get help.

“Frankly, we’re lucky this crisis isn’t worse,” Sarvi continued. “President Bush and John Kline wanted to invest our Social Security with the same companies whose irresponsible behavior has gotten us into this mess.

“It’s heartening to see bi-partisan cooperation on this issue, but we need to make sure we land on the right solution. We need to change course and bring common sense back to Washington and Wall Street. I am willing to stand up to my president, my party and big corporate interests to do it – because this isn’t the government’s money, it’s the people’s money. As a city administrator and small town mayor, I never forgot that, and we can’t let Washington forget it, either.”

From Franken for Senate

FAdams — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:35:36 -0500

From Franken for Senate Campaign

Franken: No More Blank Checks For This Administration - Not After Billions Spent In Iraq With No Oversight

SAINT PAUL [09/23/08] - With Minnesota’s middle-class families, already struggling in the Bush-Coleman economy, now being asked to foot the bill for a trillion-dollar bailout of the financial services industry, DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken today announced the principles that he would demand in any bailout package.

Al Franken:

“If we’ve learned anything during the Bush-Coleman era, it’s that when we hand over tax dollars to these folks, we’d better get a receipt. We need to take action to avoid economic disaster - but the era of putting powerful special interests first and ignoring Minnesota’s middle class has got to end.”

This weekend, Coleman asserted that if the bailout was approved, “the government could make 10 or 20 times what it pays on this.” Franken today called on Coleman to explain his reasoning for such an estimate, as no economist has suggested such a “rosy outcome,” according to the Politico.

Franken announced that he would only support a bailout plan if it adhered to these principles:

1. No blank check. “Not one dime should go to this bailout without independent oversight, real accountability, and complete transparency.”

2. Taxpayers get a stake. “If we’re footing the bill for keeping these companies afloat, taxpayers should get an equity stake so that we can share in the benefits when and if they get back on their feet.”

3. No golden parachutes. “In the public sector, there’s no such thing as a golden parachute. And if we’re going to sacrifice $2,000 for every Minnesota taxpayer to bail out these companies, these executives are going to learn about sacrifice, too. So, all excessive compensation, bonuses, and severance agreements are hereby cancelled.”

4. Bring back oversight. “We need to restore the regulatory framework dismantled with George W. Bush in the White House and Norm Coleman in the Senate so that this doesn’t happen again.”

5. Help homeowners. “The foreclosure crisis caused this problem, and we still haven’t taken the steps I’ve been proposing for months to address it. We have to freeze foreclosures and allow bankruptcy judges to re-set mortgages on primary residences.”

6. Protect consumers. “I’m calling for a new Financial Products Safety Commission with similar duties and powers to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

Statement from Sen. Norm

FAdams — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:23:29 -0500

Statement from Sen. Norm Coleman
on the financial stabilization plan

Local Republicans rally for Coleman: (Photo by Forrest Adams): Carver County Republican rally for Republican Senator Norm Coleman in the Chanhassen Recreation Center.

October 1st, 2008 - Washington, D.C. - “In a time of crisis, leadership and statesmanship are essential. I intend to vote in favor of the bipartisan financial stabilization package. The domino effect of not acting could topple the finances of every Minnesotan. At first sight, this bill may seem to do more for Wall Street than Main Street. But, at the core, this legislation is about the availability of capital – the lifeblood of the economy. When credit freezes, banks stop lending, businesses can’t make payroll, and jobs are lost. Loans to pay for college, cars and homes become nearly impossible to obtain. Savings are jeopardized. We have no choice but to act. This bipartisan plan is crafted in a way that protects the American taxpayers and holds Wall Street accountable. It ensures no blank checks, contains stringent oversight protections to watch where the dollars are going, and limits executive compensation and golden parachutes for Wall Street executives. And, equally important, is we will create no new permanent bureaucracy. We’ve ensured that once we have achieved our goals and objectives, this plan will sunset. In our efforts to create a 21st Century financial system that works, we can’t make the mistake of simply substituting one bureaucracy for another. Once this bill passes the Senate, the House must quickly follow suit to help stabilize the economy and protect the financial future of working moms and dads. Addressing this financial crisis may not be politically popular in the short-term, but for our long-term economic security and stability it is the right thing to do.”

FINANCIAL CRISIS BILL SUMMARY
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act authorizes funding for the federal government to purchase distressed assets, with $250 billion available immediately, an additional $100 billion upon Presidential certification, and a final $350 billion subject to congressional disapproval. It also contains strong oversight and transparency measures, executive compensation restrictions, and responsible homeowner relief. The legislation also contains critical tax legislation protecting middle-class Minnesotans from higher taxes while at the same time providing important clean energy incentives, disaster relief and pro-growth incentives. Among some of the key provisions that will protect middle class Minnesotans are an AMT “patch” for 2008 which will keep the AMT from hitting up to 435,000 Minnesota taxpayers, as well as a two-year extension of the tuition deduction and teacher classroom expense deduction. The legislation also extends the R&D tax credit and the New Markets tax credit, both important to helping our economy during these challenging times. The bill also contains $17 billion for energy production tax credits for solar energy, fuel cell investment tax, and plug-in electric drive vehicles.

In addition, the bill contains a provision that prohibits health insurance companies from placing discriminatory restrictions on mental health treatment that do not exist for other physical illnesses. The measure, of which Coleman is an original cosponsor, will finally provide mental health parity for about 113 million Americans who work for employers with 50 or more employees. By requiring parity for deductibles, co-payments, annual and lifetime limits, and treatment limitations, this legislation will ensure that health plans do not place more restrictive guidelines on mental health treatment than on medical or surgical treatments.

Key Emergency Economic Stabilization Act Provisions
TAXPAYER PROTECTIONS/OVERSIGHT
o No blank check
o In 5 years, the President must submit to Congress a proposal to recoup any losses
o Taxpayers get stake in participating institutions and an opportunity to see a profit when their stocks rise.
o Creates a Financial Stability Oversight Board comprised of the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Federal Housing Finance Agency
o Creates a Congressional Oversight Panel and requires the Treasury Department to report back to Congress every month
o Treasury is required, within 2 business days to publicly disclose the details of any transaction.
o Establishes a Special Inspector General specifically for this funding
o Judicial Review

ACCOUNTABILITY
o No golden parachutes
o Limits on executive compensation
o Enhanced FBI cooperation for investigating fraud, misrepresentation, and malfeasance with respect to development, advertising, and sale of financial products.

HOMEOWNER RELIEF
o Strengthens the Hope for Homeowners program, a mortgage rescue program which was created by this summer’s housing bill (H.R. 3221)
o Extends mortgage debt forgiveness for three years, through 2012,
o For mortgages and mortgage-backed securities acquired through Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Secretary must implement a plan to mitigate foreclosures and to encourage the modification of loans through Hope for Homeowners and other programs. Also allows the Secretary to use loan guarantees and credit enhancement to avoid foreclosures.

Key Tax Extender Provisions

o Midwest Disaster: Provides a range of personal, property, charitable giving and business tax relief, including waiving the 10 percent penalty tax for eligible disaster-related distributions from retirement accounts and increase in standard mileage rate for charitable use of vehicles.
o Extension through 2009 of the $4,000 Qualified Tuition Deduction
o Extension through 2009 of the $250 Teacher Expense Deduction
o Extension through 2009 of the Research and Development Tax Credit
o One year extension for Section 45 tax credits for wind and refined coal and extends other renewable sources to 2010
o Extends 30% investment tax credit for solar energy property and qualified fuel cell property through 2016
o Authorizes $800 million of new clean renewable energy bonds
o $1.5 billion in new tax credits for coal plant projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for carbon capture and sequestration technology
o Provides a new tax credit per ton for CO2 captured, transported, and sequestered from an industrial sources
o Creates a new credit for consumers who buy plug-in electric passenger vehicles
o Extends the $1 per gallon production tax credit for biodiesel through 2009
o Extends the alternative refueling stations tax credit that helps build E85 pumps through 2010

From a Harvard economist...

FAdams — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:30:41 -0500

From a Harvard economist... "Congress has balked at the Bush administration's proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. Under this plan, the Treasury would have bought the "troubled assets" of financial institutions in an attempt to avoid economic meltdown."

"This bailout was a terrible idea. Here's why."

"The current mess would never have occurred in the absence of ill-conceived federal policies. The federal government chartered Fannie Mae in 1938 and Freddie Mac in 1970; these two mortgage lending institutions are at the center of the crisis. The government implicitly promised these institutions that it would make good on their debts, so Fannie and Freddie took on huge amounts of excessive risk."

For more information, go to http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/29/miron.bailout/index.html?iref=mps...

Kline voted for the bill but

pat neuman — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:22:48 -0500

Kline voted for the bill but did he vote his conscience?

Dear Republicans and

FAdams — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:49:59 -0500

Dear Republicans and Friends,

I would like to share my personal encounter with John McCain and Sarah Palin with you. I was honored to be a greeter at the airport welcoming John McCain and Sarah Palin last Friday. I find Senator McCain and Governor Palin friendly, warm and caring.

There was a 24-year-old injured Iraq Veteran on the greeting line by the name of John Kriesel (John’s story is at www.johnkriesel.com). John told me he survived a roadside bomb and lost both of his legs. Three of his best friends were killed in the same incident. John Kriesel handed Senator McCain a coin and asked him to remember his friends. John McCain and Sarah Palin took the time to talk with this young soldier and, like a big sister, Sarah Palin gave John Kriesel a big hug. I was speechless with tears in my eyes. Later in the Rally, John McCain included John Kriesel and his three lost friends in his speech.

As you may already heard, John McCain has decided to suspend his campaign and returned to the Senate to deal with the banking crisis. Once again, John McCain is putting country first! We need to continue the campaign and work even harder for him. I urge you to sign up for one of the phone calling events below.

A) Thursday (9/25), 5:30PM - 8:30PM (or when you can arrive)
B) Saturday (9/27), 9-12PM
C) Saturday (9/27), 12-3PM
D) Tuesday (9/30), 5:30PM - 8:30PM
E) Wednesday (10/1) 5:30PM - 8:30PM

Jeff Stone, volunteer photographer, took pictures at the Blaine Rally. You are free to download the pictures, or, purchase prints from him. Jeff’s hope is that you will use them to promote the campaign. You can find the pictures at http://gallery.me.com/jeffstonephoto#100103. You are welcome to share with your friends.

Have a great evening.

- Francis Cheung

Minnesota DFL Party's

FAdams — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:24:41 -0500

Minnesota DFL Party's Founders Day with
Vice President Al Gore and Al Franken

Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. Doors Open
11 a.m. Chair's Reception
12:30 p.m. Program Begins
Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

President's Club $500, Vice President's Club $250, Senator's Club $100
Speech Only $50, Students/Seniors $25

Chair's Reception: President, Vice President, & Senator's Club members are invited to a reception beginning at 11 a.m. in the Northrop Auditorium lobby.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Jackie Bateman at jackie@alfranken.com or (952) 548-6047.

Will it matter in the whole

FAdams — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:16:34 -0500

Will it matter in the whole scheme of things that a jury has found political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko guilty on 16 of 24 charges in his corruption trial?

In January, Sen. Hillary Clinton blasted Obama for having represented "your contributor, Rezko, in his slum landlord business in inner-city Chicago."

The 52-year-old Rezko is accused of scheming to get kickbacks from companies wanting state contracts. The Chicago Sun-Times reported in January on the relationship between Obama and Rezko.

"In 1995, Obama began campaigning for a seat in the Illinois Senate. Among his earliest supporters: Rezko. Two Rezko companies donated a total of $2,000. Obama was elected in 1996 -- representing a district that included 11 of Rezko's 30 low-income housing projects."

"In 2003, Obama announced he was running for the U.S. Senate, and Rezko -- a member of his campaign finance committee -- held a lavish fund-raiser June 27, 2003, at his Wilmette mansion."

"A few months after Obama became a U.S. senator, he and Rezko's wife, Rita, bought adjacent pieces of property from a doctor in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood -- a deal that has dogged Obama the last two years. The doctor sold the mansion to Obama for $1.65 million -- $300,000 below the asking price. Rezko's wife paid full price -- $625,000 -- for the adjacent vacant lot. The deals closed in June 2005. Six months later, Obama paid Rezko's wife $104,500 for a strip of her land, so he could have a bigger yard. At the time, it had been widely reported that Tony Rezko was under federal investigation. Questioned later about the timing of the Rezko deal, Obama called it "boneheaded" because people might think the Rezkos had done him a favor."